Organ Recipient Proves Anything is Possible

Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark Black underwent two open-heart surgeries before the age of one. He battled his condition and its limitations for twenty-two years successfully until the age of 23 when he was suddenly faced with the biggest challenge of his life. His doctor informed him that his heart was failing badly and that without a rare and dangerous heart and double-lung transplant, he would likely not see his 25th birthday.

In October 2001, Mark moved thousands of kilometres from home and was put on a transplant waiting list. After just four months on the list, Mark’s condition grew worse and he was hospitalized; soon after his condition worsened and he was placed on 24-hour monitoring.

On September 7, 2002, after six months in hospital and almost a year on the waiting list, Mark received a second chance at life: a life-saving heart and double-lung transplant.

Since receiving his transplant, Mark hasn’t wasted a moment. He has inspired more than 45,000 people across North America with his unique story and powerful life lessons that help his audience live life with passion and purpose.

Living in Moncton, New Brunswick, Mark spends as much time as possible with the three most important people in his life; his wife Marise, their three-year-old daughter Emma and newborn son, Matteo.